Railway axle journal stop

ABSTRACT

A railway axle journal stop structure comprising a flexible support strip with impact blocks of comparatively rigid material having apertures into which the support strip material is molded to form a unitary structure. Preferably the impact blocks are substantially shorter than the length of the journal which they oppose and the complete stop structure is readily insertible into and removable from the journal box through its outer opening by folding portions of the flexible strip about the ends of the impact blocks.

United States Patent Hennessy, Jr. et a].

[54] RAILWAY AXLE JOURNAL STOP [72] Inventors: James J. Hennessy, Jr., Chambersburg; Luther L. Bollinger, Sr., Reading, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Hennessy Products, Incorporated, Chambersburg, Pa.

22 Filed: Oct.2, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 77,426

[52] US. Cl ..308/40 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6c 1/24 [58] Field of Search ..308/38, 39, 40, 88, 243

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,878 7/1954 Foss ..308/41 [151 3,684,331 [451 Aug. 15, 1972 Zupez ..308/40 McGrath ..308/40 Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant Examiner-Frank Susko Attorney-Bedell and Burgess [57] ABSTRACT A railway axle journal stop structure comprising a flexible support strip with impact blocks of comparatively rigid material having apertures into which the support strip material is molded to form a unitary structure. Preferably the impact blocks are substantially shorter than the length of the journal which they oppose and the complete stop structure is readily insertible into and removable from the journal box through its outer opening by folding portions of the flexible strip about the ends of the impact blocks.

3 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures RAILWAY AXLE JOURNAL STOP The invention relates to journal stops as provided in a railway truck axle box between the journal and the sides of the box to assist or relieve the usual friction hearing or brass of undue thrusts and wear resulting from acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle. Examples of such devices are disclosed in McGrath US. Pat. No. 3,333,906 and Pinney U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,121.

Among the objects of the invention are to simplify the stop structure, to reduce its cost, and to facilitate insertion and removal of the structure to and from a railway journal box and axle assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one end of a railway truck frame having an integral box and showing the application of the stop structure to the axle journal box.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the stop structure in flattened position.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective of one of the impact blocks before being assembled with the supporting strip.

FIG. 5 indicates the folding of the flexible strip and blocks inwardly and downwardly to facilitate insertion into the box and under the journal collar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The stop is a complete unit adapted for insertion in a conventional journal box 1 in a railway truck side frame 2 mounted upon an axle journal 3 by means of the usual bearing 4 and wedge 5. The stop comprises a flexible web which may be bent readily into U-shape to rest upon the bottom of the box with its legs extending upwardly along the box sides. The upper portions 11 of the legs are relatively narrow and mount impact blocks 13, one at each side of the journal.

Each block 13 includes an integral flange 14 having a plurality of apertures 15. Preferably web 10 is of rubber or similar moldable material, and impact blocks 13 are of nylon or similar relatively rigid material. These parts are united as by placing the blocks in a mold in which the web is formed and flowing the plastic material of the web into apertures 15 as indicated in FIG. 3, resulting in a unitary structure when the web material congeals. This facilitates the use of different materials for the support web and the impact blocks, and avoids use of rivets, staples or other connecting elements, as has characterized some earlier journal stop devices.

By recessing blocks 13 as shown at 17, the stop is adapted for application to a journal box having horizontal ribs R extending the full length of the box for retaining cotton waste usually packed in the lower portion of the box. Each block possesses sufficient rigidity to bridge across recess 17 from side to side of the rib and avoids the necessity of using a filler for the recess or requiring a solid block device when used in a non-rib box.

By making support web 10 and impact blocks 13 of different materials having the qualities described. it is possible to obtain the desired flexibility of the support for insertion and removal of the device into and out of the box after acking up the truck frame and box and removing the bearing and wedge.

The combination utilizes the flexibility and fraction characteristics of rubber, adapting it to the contours of the box and restraining thestop from slipping out of place, at the same time obtaining the wear and stressresisting, low-friction characteristics of nylon or similar material for the impact blocks and avoiding cracking or breaking the blocks as likely would result if they were made of rubber, particularly in cold weather.

The impact blocks engage the restricted middle portion of the journal and thereby tend to wear evenly rather than at spaced points as likely would result from longer blocks or blocks spaced apart lengthwise of the journal.

It will be understood that the detail contours of the support web and impact blocks, the arrangement of the block apertures for receiving the plastic web, and the precise material used, may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and exclusive use of those modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

We claim:

1. A railway axle journal stop comprising a pair of rigid blocks adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of a journal and having through apertures, and a flexible strip bendable into U shape and adapted to be received in a journal box and to rest on the bottom of the box with the upper ends of its legs supporting said blocks, said strip being formed of originally plastic moldable material extending into said apertures, said strip material, when congealed, and saidblocks forming an integral unit of a flexible support and rigid impact elements.

2. A railway axle journal stop as described in claim 1 in which the flexible strip is of rubber and the blocks are of nylon.

3. A railway axle journal stop as described in claim 1 in which each block is recessed lengthwise to receive a waste retaining rib projecting from a box side wall and each block is of sufficient rigidity to transfer journal thrust across the recess. 

1. A railway axle journal stop comprising a pair of rigid blocks adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of a journal and having through apertures, and a flexible strip bendable into U shape and adapted to be received in a journal box and to rest on the bottom of the box with the upper ends of its legs supporting said blocks, said strip being formed of originally plastic moldable material extending into said apertures, said strip material, when congealed, and said blocks forming an integral unit of a flexible support and rigid impact elements.
 2. A railway axle journal stop as described in claim 1 in which the flexible strip is of rubber and the blocks are of nylon.
 3. A railway axle journal stop as described in claim 1 in which each block is recessed lengthwise to receive a waste retaining rib projecting from a box side wall and each block is of sufficient rigidity to transfer journal thrust across the recess. 